Train Times/Excursions

Saturday June 8, 2024
Time	Excursion	Availablity
11:00 AM	The Duluth Zephyr	(228 Available)	Buy Now
1:00 PM	The Duluth Zephyr	(224 Available)	Buy Now

« Calendar

TWO HARBORS TURN (CANCELLED THIS DATE FOR STEAM TRAIN OPS)

Travel the entire route of the North Shore Scenic Railroad’s track to the end of the line in Two Harbors. There, you will have a delightful stop stay in the beautiful lakeside town, while you shop, eat, and explore. The train reboards around 2:30, and before your return to the Duluth Depot.

This is a full day, diesel-powered, excursion and a chance to see the whole railroad line. Free shuttle buses in Two Harbors are provided most days for you to get around town easily. Information on restaurants and things to do while in town are provided on the train.

Entrance to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is included with your ticket prior to departure. Doors open at 9am, so there is limited time for the museum. If you want to come the days before, or after, museum passes can be purchased at 50% off with your train tickets.

Important Note: The Two Harbors train excursion is subject to delays to due Canadian National Railway (CN) traffic. Please consider this when making plans for after the train ride. Delays are rare, but can be an hour or more. Normal return time to the Duluth Depot is about 4:30pm, but ranges from 4pm-5pm, and very rarely, even later.

This trip is not wheelchair accessible due to the historic nature of the railroad equipment. Pets are not allowed. Ages 2 and under are free and do not need a ticket. All tickets are round-trip. Most excursions are powered by diesel-electric locomotives.

STEAM TRAIN TO PALMERS SIDING (SOLD OUT)

A 2.5 hour excursion behind historic steam power, locomotive #332. Ride to Palmers Siding, about 17 miles from Duluth, between Duluth and Two Harbors. This is the location of a passing track, where the locomotive will be uncoupled and re-attached on the opposite end of the train for the return trip. Time permitting, passengers will be able to disembark to watch this and see the locomotive.

This train is Wheelchair Accessible most days, but there are no wheelchair accessible restrooms. Pets are not allowed. Ages 2 and under are free and do not need a ticket/reservation in coach, however do have to pay for domecars seats. All tickets are round-trip. Museum passes are discounted with your train tickets and can be added below.

Children: Ages are 3-13 in Coach. Ages 2 and under are free in coach and do not need a ticket/reservation. All passengers in First Class (ages 0+) must purchase a ticket. Children must be supervised and accompanied by an adult at all times.

Doors close 2 minutes prior to departure for safety checks. Any passengers who arrive after this time will not be permitted to board and will not receive a refund.

THE DULUTH ZEPHYR

Our most popular trip, this excursion brings you through downtown Duluth, a little way up the North Shore through Congdon Park, and to the neighborhood of Lakeside, where the train stops briefly to turn around. The perfect standard trip for you and your family, lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, covering about six miles each way.

Coach Seats: Ride in one of several historic coaches. Some have open windows, some have air conditioning/heat, it is up to you! All seats are general boarding, so you are free to explore the train for the perfect seat. A concession car is also available to enjoy that has large open-air doors. Children ages 2 and under are free and do not need tickets for coach.

First Class Option: Ride in the Dome Car and enjoy the unique upstairs viewing area, with an attendant to bring you beverages and food. Enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks (2) while you experience the spectacular views from above in the Dome Car. Note: Due to the historic nature of the traincar, First Class seats are not wheelchair accessible. Children ages 0-13 must purchase tickets for first class (2 and under are free in coach only), and must be supervised at all times while on the train for the courtesy of other passengers. All passengers in first class are expected to behave in a first class fashion for the respect of other patrons.

Reservations are strongly recommended but not required for this excursion. Tickets may be purchased up to 20 minutes prior to departure. This train can sell out, so it is recommended to pre-purchase your tickets.

This train is Wheelchair Accessible most days, but there are no wheelchair accessible restrooms (and first class is not accessible). Wheelchairs are lifted into the concession/open car. Pets are not allowed. All tickets are round-trip. There are restrooms on the train.

Doors close 2 minutes prior to departure for safety checks. Any passengers who arrive after this time will not be permitted to board and will not receive a refund.

CABOOSE CREWZ PACKAGE + MUSEUM

Ride for a flat rate fee for up to 10 people in the caboose. Enjoy the narrated tour, while exploring and climbing in the caboose. A cooler of soda/water and chips are available to you, included with the ride.

You can have anywhere from 1 person to 10 people on the ride, for the flat-rate fee for the trip. The caboose is not accessible to/from the rest of the train. So riders are confined to the caboose and it is a private space, along with a car attendant who will ride with everyone to answer questions and assure your safety.

Please note that this is a historic working caboose. It is not a luxurious Pullman car. It is the chance to experience what life is like for the workers on the railroad.

Unfortunately, due to the historic nature of the caboose, this is not a wheelchair accessible ride. However, folks with limited mobility can access the caboose with 3 short steps to enter the lower level of the caboose.

A cooler of non-alcoholic beverages is available for caboose passengers, and light snacks (chips/candy).

Admission to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is included for your guests in this package ($7 per person value!).

THE PIZZA PARTY EXPRESS

A 2.5 hour evening excursion up the North Shore of Lake Superior. Enjoy pizza and fun for the whole family included with every ticket. You get a personal 8" Domino's Pizza with a soda for each person, and a dessert bar too. Enjoy the narrated tour on the way up the shore, with music and commentary on the return trip. A cash bar of beer and wine is also available, with additional snacks for purchase.

Reservations are required for this excursion by 2pm on the day of the excursion.

Seats are not assigned on this excursion and are open/available to sit anywhere in several coaches you would like to. Staying in groups with other reservations is usually very easy.

This trip is wheelchair accessible in an open aired car (limited space), but there are no wheelchair accessible restrooms on the train. Pets are not allowed. Ages 2 and under are free and do not need a ticket. All tickets are round-trip, coach-only excursion. There are restrooms on the train.

Museum Passes can be added at the half-off combination rate of $7 adults and $4 for children. If you're not sure you'll have time for the museum, you can still get this discount and add passes on the day you arrive. Most guests come early to tour the museum before the Pizza Train (about 90 minutes before departure is suggested).

LILAC FESTIVAL TRAIN

This is a dinner train like no other, at the peak of Lilac season. Enjoy a delicious dinner, with a 2.5 hour excursion, and plenty of scents of flowers long the way.

Brought to you by: Lilac Lovefest

Due to limited space, all passengers, including children/babies must be ticketed (paid). All seats are tables of 4, so its a perfect double date! If you purchase 2 tickets you may be seated with other guests. Children ages 2 and under are free on the Pizza Train, which is connected to this train (same schedule).

This Dinner Train consists of the SkyView Domecar booth style seating. We're sorry but due to the historic nature of the rail equipment, this is not a wheelchair accessible excursion. This is considered a first-class section of the train, and all passengers are expected to behave in a first-class fashion for the respect of other patrons.